Bernie Williams, Chick Corea headline Jazz Up July

Scott Gargan

Updated 9:32 pm, Thursday, April 25, 2013

Photo: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Yankee Bernie Williams performs the national anthem before a game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden on December 13, 2012 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Lakers 116-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) less

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Former New York Yankee Bernie Williams performs the national anthem before a game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square ... more

Photo: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

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VIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 29: Chick Corea performs at Theatre Antique during Jazz A Vienne 2012 on June 30, 2012 in Vienne, France. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns via Getty Images)

VIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 29: Chick Corea performs at Theatre Antique during Jazz A Vienne 2012 on June 30, 2012 in Vienne, France. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns via Getty Images)

Photo: David Redfern, Redferns Via Getty Images

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Dianne Reeves performs at the 2011 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 11, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/WireImage)

Dianne Reeves performs at the 2011 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on June 11, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/WireImage)

Photo: Jonathan Leibson, WireImage

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 27: Mexican-American conga player Poncho Sanchez of Cubano Be Cubano Bop: Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on April 27, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic) less

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 27: Mexican-American conga player Poncho Sanchez of Cubano Be Cubano Bop: Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the ... more

STAMFORD -- When Alive@Five isn't rocking, Columbus Park will be grooving to the smooth sounds of Jazz Up July.

The summer concert series expands to five weeks this year, with performances by Bernie Williams, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band, Diane Reeves and Chick Corea, as well as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, a group formed by Dan and Chris Brubeck, two of the sons of the late jazz pioneer and longtime Wilton resident Dave Brubeck.

The series, which kicks off on July 10 at Stamford's Columbus Park, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue every Wednesday until Aug. 7. Concerts will set attendees back $10.

The rain venue for the concerts is the Palace Theatre, located at 61 Atlantic St., Stamford.

Here's a closer look at the headliners:

Bernie Williams (July 10): The New York Yankees legend is also a classically trained guitarist. He has released two albums -- the "Journey Within" and the Grammy-nominated "Moving Forward" -- has collaborated with the likes of Bruce Springsteen and regularly performs at major sporting events.

Brubeck Brothers Quartet (July 17): This acclaimed outfit features two members of one of America's most accomplished musical families: drummer Dan Brubeck and bassist/trombonist Chris Brubeck, both sons of the late jazz legend and longtime Wilton resident, Dave Brubeck. Guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb round out the group.

Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band (July 24): This Mexican-American conguero (conga player) and salsa singer has taken cues from both Afro-Cuban music and bebop jazz, creating a unique bridge-building style. In 2000, he his ensemble won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for their work on the Concord Picante album, "Latin Soul."

Dianne Reeves (July 31): This Detroit-born jazz songstress made her name touring with Harry Belafonte and performing at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. She has won a whopping four Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for her albums.

Chick Corea (Aug. 7): A member of Miles Davis' band, he was at the forefront of the electric jazz fusion movement of the 1960s. Since then, he has become one of the major jazz pianists of the post-John Coltrane era, composing many standards. He will be joined by The Vigil with Christian McBride, Tim Garland, Charles Altura and Marcus Gilmore for his performance at Jazz Up July.